A-Infos (en) US, Press Release and Call to Action By Autonomia Network

[Worker <a-infos-en@ainfos.ca>]

representing Anti-
Authoritarian, Autonomous POC at Miami FTAA Demonstrations.
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During the past week of demonstrations against the Free Trade Area of 
the Americas
(FTAA), protesters have been met with a massive show of state 
repression, backed
by $8.5 million in US Government funding. Miami Police Commissioner John 
Timoney
oversaw a massive, paramilitary assault on our constitutional and human 
rights.
Police wielding batons, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber, wooden, and plastic
bullets and other chemical agents attacked demonstrators, specifically POC
and anarchists. Over 100 demonstrators were treated for injuries; 12 were
hospitalized. Police dispersed large groups of peaceful protestors with
tear gas, pepper spray, and open fire, once broken into smaller groups the
treatment became harsher. This campaign of fear and intimidation
culminated in the closure and militarization of downtown Miami. There were
confirmed reports of military tanks patrolling the streets after dark on
Thursday night.

There are estimates of more than 250 arrests with specific targets of
anarchists and POC. People have become political prisoners and are being
held in jail. More than 50 of them were arrested while holding a peaceful
vigil outside the jail in solidarity with those inside. They were
surrounded by riot police and ordered to disperse. As they did, police
opened fire and blocked the streets preventing many from leaving.
We are now receiving reports from people being released or calling from jail
that there is excessive brutality, sexual assault and torture going on
inside. Reports from released prisoners’ claims that POC, Queer and
transgender prisoners are particularly being targeted. There is a confirmed
report of one Latino man arrested along with 62 others outside Miami-Dade
County Jail Friday, who is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit
for an injury he received after being beaten in the head with nightstick by
an arresting officer. Those practicing jail solidarity by not stating names
or nationalities are even further targeted for torture from police by hours
of beatings and soaking with water in the extremely cold jail cells. There
are still some people who are under disappeared status.

People have also been denied access to attorneys, visitation rights,
vegetarian or vegan food, and access to essential medication and medical
attention.

Representing the anti-authoritarian, autonomous, people of color groups in
Miami, Autonomia is putting out a call with other groups of the Miami Direct
Action contingent. We call on people from around the globe to take action
immediately to support our sisters and brothers who are being unfairly
arrested and brutalized. We are calling for three immediate actions:

1) Call, fax, email elected officials with the demands listed below.
Contact information below.

2) Money is urgently needed Wire money to
Cynthia Pitt
at the Western Union in Miami, FL
When you do this, call the convergence center in Miami at:
(305) 373-9644
Call the center to tell them:
1. You're sending it to Cynthia
2. The tracking number
3. The time you sent it

3) Global Day of Action on Monday at any time and any appropriate location.
This could be US Embassies, Departments of Justice or FBI offices

THESE ARE OUR DEMANDS:
· Drop all charges.
· Release all political prisoners.
· Meet basic human needs: no more brutality, provide appropriate food,
access to medicine and medical attention, warm clothing.
· Provide access to attorneys and visitation rights.
· Provide equitable treatment to all prisoners regardless of race,
ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
· Do not share information collected with the INS.
· Fire Chief Timoney and whole all Officers responsible for their
actions.
Many thanks for your support. It is urgently needed.

In solidarity,
Autonomia POC Network
Direct Action Contingency, Miami

To send a free fax:
http://www.citizen.org/fax/background.cfm?ID=245&source=19
PLEASE CALL AND WRITE:
MANUEL A. DIAZ, Mayor, City of Miami 305.250.5300 305.375.5071
mayor@miamidade.gov OR mannydiaz@ci.miami.fl.us
ALEX PENELAS, Mayor, Miami-Dade County 305.829.9336 home 305.375.5071 
office
Chief of Staff: Francois Illas Fillas@ci.miami.fl.us
KATHERINE FERNANDEZ RUNDLE State Attorney305.547.0100
JOHN TIMONEY Chief of Police 305-673-7925 305-579-6565

OTHER NUMBERS
Local media has been grossly biased in their coverage. While
this issomewhat to be expected, the following are numbers that people can
call to voice frustration.
CBS4: 305-639-4551, 305-639-4601, 305-639-4426WPLG
channel 10: 305-576-6397WSUN Fox: 954-524-0388 (Rosh Lowe)

Miami Jail Information: To track people in the system try: 
www.miami-dadeclerk.com

Miami-Dade Jail (felonies)Facility Supervisor: Captain E. CambridgeAddress:
1320 NW 13 Street Miami, FL. 33125 Facility Phone: (786) 263-4100

Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center (misdemeanors) Facility 
Supervisor:
Captain M. Fernandez Address: 7000 NW 41 Street Miami, Fl. 33166 Facility
Phone:(305) 470-7600
Carlos Alvarez, Director of Metropolitan Sheriff Department
Miami-Dade Police Department 9105 Northwest 25th Street Miami, FL
33172-1500 USA Telephone: +1-305-471-2100 Fax: +1-305-471-2163

OTHER CONTACT NUMBERS OF CITY OFFICIALS
ALEJANDRO VILARELLO City Attorney 305-416-1800
JOHNNY WINTON, Miami City Commissioner 305.858.7344 home 305.250.5333 
office
Commissioner Johnny L. WintonE-mail: jwinton@ci.miami.fl.usKATY
SORENSON, Miami Dade County Commissioner 305.375.5218 305.378.6677
Commissioner Angel GonzalezE-mail: agonzalez@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: 
(305)250-5430
Commissioner Joe M. SanchezDistrict 3E-mail: 
jsanchez@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: (305)250-5380
Commissioner Tomas P. RegaladoDistrict 4E-mail: 
tr@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: (305)250-5420
Commissioner Arthur Teele, Jr.District 5E-mail: 
artteele@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: (305)250-5390
City Manager Joe Arriola E-mail: jarriola@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: 
(305)250-5400
City Attorney Alejandro Vilarello E-mail: law@ci.miami.fl.usTelephone: 
(305)416-1800
City Attorney's Office444 SW 2nd Avenue, Suite 945Miami, Florida 33130


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